Escape to Witch Mountain 50th Anniversary Review

 After not seeing this Disney classic after 40 years during its repeated runs on HBO, I decided the 50th anniversary would be a good time to dust off the DVD. Top notch performances by legends Eddie Albert, Ray Miland, and Donald Pleasance and breakout performances by Kim Richards (my 70’s crush) and future “son of Kahn” Ike Eisenmann add to the fun. What makes this film stand out from typical Disney films of the time is a palpable and unsettling sense of dread throughout the story. As with all Disney films, there is a happy ending, but getting there takes going through some very dark themes including abandonment, manipulation, and betrayal. The effects department did what they could with the technology of the period which adds to the charm, especially the scene with the marionettes dancing on their own. This film is notable for Legend of  Hell House director John Hough relying on his horror chops and not shying away from some darker, more adult themes. 

Alien:Romulus Review

 Alien:Romulus puts aside any concerns of Disneyfication by giving us a real nail biter that doesn’t shy away from gore. Director Fede Álvarez’s film combines some brilliantly realized practical and CGI Xenomorphs with inventive action sequences. In spite of some throwaway characters, I found myself truly invested in the heroine Rain and her synthetic “brother” Andy. There is an interesting spin on the Aliens’ rapid growth cycle and creative use of zero gravity. The film is weakest when throwing in some obvious callbacks including an extremely misguided attempt at raising Cain (wink wink.) I’d put Alien:Romulus above any film after James Cameron’s 1986 Aliens.

Poor Things Review

 Of all the things I could’ve watched on family friendly Disney+, Yorgos Lanthimo’s Poor Things is the one I chose and I’m so glad I did! The film is a brilliant surreal period piece with a plot somewhere between Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and Alex Martin’s Ex Machina. Emma Stone’s Oscar winning portrayal of the reanimated Bella and Willem Dafoe’s disfigured doctor are standouts. The blend of CG and practical settings with a fantastical story make for an engaging and funny viewing experience. Definitely not for viewing with the kids as we follow Bella’s infantile brain learning how to navigate her womanhood and sexuality. All elements combine for a complete film and masterpiece of modern cinema.

The review of the movie of the Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes.

 

2011’s  Rise of the Planet of the Apes kicked off one of the most consistently high quality (and underrated) movie franchises in recent history. In the age of multiverses and franchise building, The Planet of the Apes has bucked the trend of diminishing returns, until now. The latest installment by Disney owned Fox Studios is set after many generations separated from the Caesar saga. This film serves as a kind of soft reboot, especially when it tackles the outcome of the virus that now leaves the human survivors mute and cognitively impaired. The story is a predictable hero’s journey narrative, and the motion capture technology and visuals haven’t advanced much from the groundbreaking 2011 film. There is a little humor mixed in provided by Peter Jerrod Macon whose voice fans of The Orville series will recognize as Lt. Commander Bortus. His portrayal of the wise Caesar historian Orangutan is engaging and heartfelt. The film, while entertaining, is the weakest of the series.

Deadpool and Wolverine Review

What does an audience want from a long-anticipated Deadpool and Wolverine team up? Director Shawn Levy and star Ryan Reynolds know. So much so that Deadpool literally says it during the one of many signature fourth wall breaks. To the unspoiled, many surprises abound in the form of callbacks and cameos. The entire film screams fan service and not only makes no effort to hide it, it throws it in your face! Yes, by this third film the novelty has worn a little thin, and Marvel killed the vibe with the She Hulk series. The main protagonist is forgettable, and actually it’s unforgivable that a certain brainiac X-Man didn’t show up to provide a redemption arc for the baddie. Also disappointing was the lack of onscreen reveal of Reynolds’s wife Blake Lively as Lady Deadpool, and his daughter Inez as “Kidpool” respectively. Lively confirmed it. Also a mild letdown for the Swifties out there. All nitpicking aside, Deadpool and Wolverine is a fun, if not stellar, introduction of our heroes to the MCU. Gory and foul mouthed, it’s amazing this film even exists under the Disney umbrella.

My Science Project Review

 Disney’s entry into the 80’s “science” movie craze is a forgettable time bending flick. Decent SFX for the time and a theme song by The Tubes (one of my favorite 80’s bands) can’t make up for the flat teen acting and sketchy attempts at humor. The exception is a truly gonzo performance by Dennis Hopper! Watch Weird Science or Real Genius instead to get your 80’s nerd fix.

Trailer Mania

Everything about Super Bowl LVII was exciting. Football fans watched a nail biter of a game, Rihanna fans got one of the best Halftime shows in recent memory, and movie fans

some amazing trailers. Disney’s entries in the million dollar spots did not disappoint.

Kicking off (pun intended) the big three was the trailer for Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 4. The new trailer included footage from the prior trailer while adding some new clips matched with a killer track from the band Rainbow. We knew there was going to be funny and heartbreaking moments being that this is the last in the series. Watch the trailer below.

Next up is the trailer from Lucasfilm’s new entry in the Indiana Jones franchise: Indiana Jones and Dial of Destiny. Here we see a de-aged Harrison Ford as a younger Indy. While there are some previously included clips, new scenes give us a glimpse into Indy’s (possibly) last time in the fedora. Watch the trailer below.

Finally, Disney thanks their fans for sharing in the company’s 100 year anniversary. In a promotional reel, the company traces their history through the multiple generations who have found magic through Disney’s films, cartoons, and theme parks. While short on 100th Anniversary celebration details, the commercial is a nostalgic trip to the past. Watch the trailer below.

2023 looks to be an exciting year for Disney fans young and old!